Comparative evaluation of apical microleakage of three different obturating material using stereomicroscopy

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the microleakage of three root canal filling materials using a dye penetration method and comparison of the differences in microleakage of each obturating material. Methods and Materials: Thirty human first premolars with intact roots, extracted for orthodontic purpose, were selected for the study. Root canal treatment was done in all the specimens and randomly divided into three groups (ten teeth in each group) and obturated with three different obturating materials (i.e. Themafill, ProPoints and GuttaFlow). All the specimens were subjected to thermocycling and then stored in 100% humidity at 37oC for 48 hours. Microleakage was measured using dye penetration technique using stereomicroscope. Static analysis: Done by using tukey test and ANOVA. Result: The amount of microleakage was minimum with Thermafil (0.01-0.12 mm) as compared to GuttaFlow (0.11-0.23 mm) and ProPoint (0.17-0.30 mm). On comparison of mean microleakage between the groups Thermafill has got minimum (p<0.001). Conclusion: Study concluded that Thermafill is the better material for obturation as it exhibits minimum microleakage than ProPoint and Guttaflow.